Disappointment with the European Central Bank's weak stimulus measures sent the markets plummeting to a sharply lower close with the Dow collapsing 252 points to 17,477. Nasdaq sank 85 points to 5,037.
On the upside
Anavex Life Sciences (Nasdaq: AVXL) appointed Ulrich Elben, Ph.D. to the position of Vice President of Preclinical Operation.
Foamix Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: FOMX) reported positive results from a Phase 2 study of FDX104 to prevent antibody-induced skin rashes.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Avon (NYSE: AVP) may sell its North American business to Cerberus.
On the downside
Shares of Acorn International (NYSE: ATV) continued to fall.
Southern Investigative Reporting Foundation alleged that Insys Therapeutics (Nasdaq: INSY) falsified documents in order to increase prescriptions of its pain treatment Subsys.
OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: OGXI) extended its losses.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 4 to 1 on the NYSE and by more than 3 to 1 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 plunged 29 points to 2,049. Bitcoin edged up to $359.